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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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12-30-2012, 01:23 AM | #1 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 12-28-12
Location: Northern Louisiana
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Offset Options Needed From The Experts!
Hey everyone,
I'm getting closer to ordering an offset smoker from Gator Pit of Texas and was hoping to get some ideas on options. I'm a novice smoker, I don't compete and I cook for no more than 20 people at a time. The smoker's chamber will be 24 inches wide and maybe 42 inches long. For you offset owners, what options are a must for you? What options do you wish you had or wish you didn't have? A million thanks in advance, FIREPIT |
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12-30-2012, 01:37 AM | #2 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 10-16-10
Location: Culver City, CA
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Get the thickest firebox you can, slide out shelves are great - 2 levels of shelves are great, not sure if a vertical chamber in addition to the horizontal is in the cards for you, but I really like mine.
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50" Klose BYC, Spitjack XB85, 22.5 WSM, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, WRK, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Kanka Grill, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. "Relax, it's only BBQ." - Bigmista, 2013 "Don't worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one." - Miles Davis Avatar by my son! WTFWGALD? |
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12-30-2012, 08:24 AM | #3 |
Moderator
Join Date: 09-17-05
Location: Mooresville, NC
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agreed on the firebox thickness.
I would not go less than 42" wide. also, if budget allows get the best casters you can. makes it easier to move around. also, a ball valve drain if that's not standard. stainless steel front shelf is nice, otherwise, you could spend a lot of money in foil longer term laying down a long sheet each time out to keep the expanded steel free of mess and drippings when you pull out racks.
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XL BGE (#2) & Performer Platinum Former owner: Jambo Backyard, Klose BYC, Lonestar Vertical offset w/ Insulated Firebox, Medium Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL BGE (#1) & (2) Medium BGE's, 22" WSM & (2) 18" WSM's, 18" & 22" Weber Kettles |
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12-30-2012, 09:12 AM | #4 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 08-21-11
Location: Sacramento, CA
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I cook on a 24x40 party Gator. It is a great pit.
Here's my two cents... I do not have the upright and don't ever feel like I miss it. It should come with removable upper shelves in the main. Just on the main grate I can fit six big butts so feeding a large crew is easy. I got the expanded metal front shelf that drops down. I like being able to drop the shelf out of the way especially with my kids running around. I also had him put threaded probe holes on either side which to me is a must. I wouldn't want to close that door on a probe wire... I also went with a 2" drain. It is nice for cleaning. His ash rake is also nice for scraping the grease down the hole. I like the removable tuning plates. Klose, I've heard, welds his in place but Ritch does his removable. It is easy to tune to get roughly even temps left to right just don't go crazy trying to make it perfect. Lastly I got the round fire box with the flat top. I don't use the flat top much but I do use the fact I can open the top of the fire box and put grates in and cook in there. Reverse sear is a breeze. My only regret was I didn't do an insulated fire box. That would have been awesome I think. Other than that I would get the same pit again. |
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12-30-2012, 09:21 AM | #5 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 08-21-11
Location: Sacramento, CA
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I thought of some more...
I got two door gauges, left and right. They are really only good to see that it is even left to right so I know it's tuned. Like most door gauges it isn't real accurate for grate temp. I also got a half rib rack. I don't use it that often. |
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12-30-2012, 09:27 AM | #6 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 07-04-09
Location: Jonesboro,Tx
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Log lighter, Ball valve drain, tuning plates,probe ports. Thats my list and I'm stickin to it.
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I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows. |
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12-30-2012, 10:29 AM | #7 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 07-02-10
Location: lake grove, new york
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Im not an expert [ but I did stay in a Holiday inn once ] get a smoker bigger than the one you want at this time [ you will probably want a larger one in the future ] +1 on the thickest fire box steel you can get, slide out shelves also, again a ball valve drain, stainless outside shelves, and casters, but then again Im spending your money
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12-30-2012, 10:33 AM | #8 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 12-28-12
Location: Northern Louisiana
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Great suggestions, thanks everyone! Is there a noticeable difference between the 1/4", 1/2" and insulated fire box? I plan on getting tuning plates and a drop down shelf. I might just get the solid metal shelf instead of stainless though, not sure yet. I'll also get the 2" valve and the threaded probe holes sound like a great idea. I'm still debating on the log lighter. Superdan, could you explain the flat top firebox? I've seen Gators with a lid on the round fire boxes but is yours a flattop with the lid on top?
Thanks again! FIREPIT |
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12-30-2012, 10:49 AM | #9 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 02-15-08
Location: Harrisburg, PA
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Get as many options, bells and whistles the above have mentioned. Must consider where and how the pit will move from the delivery truck to your intended location. You'll need 8" wheels, a few thick plywood boards to lay down across the lawn, and additional muscle to guide. The pit in question will be in the neighborhood of 1,000 lbs.
24 X 48 chamber, 1/2" firebox (will add significant weight and heat retention properties), side vertical chamber, sliding shelves, ball valve. Enjoy for many many years.
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Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, and a 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 84 Deluxe kitchen, Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, Bubba Keg Grill - RIP, Double Barrel Smoker and a BSKD |
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12-30-2012, 11:52 AM | #10 | |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 12-28-12
Location: Northern Louisiana
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Quote:
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12-30-2012, 11:58 AM | #11 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 02-15-08
Location: Harrisburg, PA
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Something of a prepared surface - sitting on 2 ft. square paver blocks on the grass - no problem.
If you don't - the wheels will sink into the soft ground, tilt, and flop over like a wounded animal. (Happened to somebody we know).
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Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, and a 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 84 Deluxe kitchen, Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, Bubba Keg Grill - RIP, Double Barrel Smoker and a BSKD |
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12-30-2012, 03:14 PM | #12 | |
Watching over us.
Join Date: 12-27-05
Location: Mid Michigan
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Quote:
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"You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." "I wish my mind could forget what my eyes have seen. :shocked:" "Heavily medicated for your protection. :doh:" Klose Mobile Pit Klose Owners Reccomended Pit Cookshack Smokette Gasser Little Chief Smoker Large BGE Gifted to me my Pit Barrel Smoker :mrgreen::clap:[URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/"][/URL] |
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12-30-2012, 03:49 PM | #13 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 08-21-11
Location: Sacramento, CA
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Here's my firebox. The removable cooking grate I like. The flat top, not so much. I've heard round boxes don't rust as easy cuz they're easier to clean out and not leave ash in the corners.
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12-30-2012, 05:33 PM | #14 | |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 12-28-12
Location: Northern Louisiana
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Quote:
Thanks for the suggestions! According to everyone, it seems that a stainless steel shelf is the way to go. I'm still debating on a 1/2" firebox or an insulated one. Decisions, decisions.....
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[SIZE=2][B][COLOR=red]FIREPIT[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=2]Gator Pit Party Gator 24X42 [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]22.5" WSM[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]22.5" Weber Performer Gold[/SIZE] [SIZE="2"]CG Akorn[/SIZE] Thermapen, Black [COLOR=black]with [/COLOR][COLOR=red]Red Flames[/COLOR] (fastest) [SIZE=2][B]"Spare rib anyone?" - Adam[/B][/SIZE] |
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12-30-2012, 06:04 PM | #15 | |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 12-28-12
Location: Northern Louisiana
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Quote:
I'm really having trouble deciding on a firebox for my future Gator. My choices (as of now) are: 1. Round Firebox with a grilling door like yours 2. Round Firebox with a square non-opening griddle top like Daryl Cincy's 3. Round Firebox with a square/flat grilling door on top (like Pits by JJ) BTW, would a griddle top be effective on a 1/2" firebox or an insulated firebox?
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[SIZE=2][B][COLOR=red]FIREPIT[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=2]Gator Pit Party Gator 24X42 [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]22.5" WSM[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]22.5" Weber Performer Gold[/SIZE] [SIZE="2"]CG Akorn[/SIZE] Thermapen, Black [COLOR=black]with [/COLOR][COLOR=red]Red Flames[/COLOR] (fastest) [SIZE=2][B]"Spare rib anyone?" - Adam[/B][/SIZE] |
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Thanks from:---> |
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